Police launch inner-city cyclist blitz

Caroline Zielinski

Cyclists and drivers in Melbourne’s CBD, inner north and south-east will be targeted in a week-long blitz that will see police flood black spot areas and fine those breaking the law.

From Monday, officers will issue on-the-spot fines of up to $369 as part of Operation Nora, a five-day road safety initiative affecting the suburbs of Carlton, Fitzroy, Richmond, Collingwood and the CBD.

Police will flock to cyclist black spot areas in a bid to weed out drivers, cyclists and pedestrians flouting the law.

Senior Sergeant Stephen Wilson said the aim of the operation was to ensure cyclists and drivers were behaving safely on the roads.

“Police will not only target offences committed by cyclists, but also crack down on drivers doing the wrong thing,” he said.

“Reducing fatal and serious injury collisions is a high priority for police.”

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He said police would crack down on cyclists who disobeyed traffic signs and lights, who failed to wear helmets, and those who did not ride their bike on the left of tram stops.

Cyclists will be fined $369 for failing to obey traffic lights, and $185 for holding onto a moving vehicle or not wearing a helmet.

Drivers who ignore traffic lights, stop or park illegally will also be fined during the blitz, as will motorcyclists who use bike lanes.

Five cyclists have died on the roads this year, compared to four at the same time last year.